JANESVILLE — The Janesville City Council is preparing to consider sweeping updates to the city’s alcohol licensing rules, aiming to modernize regulations, improve transparency and ensure both public safety and business-friendly practices.
The changes will be brought up as a first reading at a council meeting Monday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. at Janesville City Hall.
A second reading and public hearing, and possible adoption, would happen in January.
Janesville’s Alcohol License Advisory Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend that the council make the changes.
The proposed amendments to Chapter 6 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, which governs alcohol licensing and regulation, consolidate and clarify rules that have not seen a comprehensive review in decades.
Council members Heather Miller, Larry Squire and Paul Williams worked with City Attorney Wald Klimczyk and Clerk-Treasurer Lori Stottler to update the ordinance while, city officials said, balancing their strategic goals of creating a safe and healthy community and supporting local businesses.
Among the key changes: the updated city code would require that all license fees, including any delinquent payments owed to the city, be paid in full before a license is issued.
Residency requirements for designated alcohol agents would also be expanded. While state law requires agents to reside in Wisconsin, the city now limits residency to Rock County. The update would allow agents to live in adjacent counties, including Dane, Jefferson, Green, and Walworth counties.
Squire noted at Tuesday’s Alcohol License Advisory Committee meeting that the updates will help bring clarification and make sure the city is aligned with state law. He also said that it will help business owners know what is expected of them and remove confusion for all parties.
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